Page 79 of When You Became Mine

Frankly, I wasn’t interested in any company today, but I knew better than to try to tell Hampton that I didn’t want to see him. He’d ignore me, telling me I was too upset to know what I really wanted and would stay anyway. It was better to humor him and hope he left sooner rather than later.

Lawson, on the other hand, wasn’t having his crap today. “Hampton, now’s not the time,” he growled, blocking the route Hampton was taking toward where I was sitting at the kitchen table.

Hampton shoved past his brother, though, his focus a laser beam on me. When his eyes met mine, he stopped, his mouth falling open. “Is that a fucking cat in your lap?”

His comment, coupled with the way his mouth hung open, caused the smallest of grins to grace my lips and I nodded as I continued to stroke Seven’s soft fur. “She seems to think I’m her human.”

Hampton glanced back at where Lawson stood fuming. “Have I entered a parallel dimension? First, Piper gets kicked out of medical school and then becomes friends with a cat?”

Lawson frowned as he crossed the room to stand beside me. “Now’s not the time for fuckin jokes. And Pippie’s not really up for company right now unless it’s in the form of an attorney.”

I patted his hand that had come to rest on my shoulder. “It’s okay.” Looking around the hulking form of my seething best friend, I spied Smith standing back near the doorway, toying with the hem of his sequined shirt. “Smith? That you hiding in the shadows back there?”

At the sound of his name, he snapped to attention. “Hey there, Pip.” He smiled shyly and made his way over to where we were all gathered. When he reached Hampton’s side, he slipped an arm around his waist and leaned into Hampton’s side. “How ya doin’?”

Lawson’s fingers flexed, biting into my shoulder. “How’s she doing? Really? You couldn’t come up with anything better than that? You obviously don’t do improv, do you?”

Hampton’s face turned a shade of red that rivaled a fire truck and I sprang to my feet, pushing Seven out of my lap. “Law!” I snapped. “Why don’t you get our guests something to drink?”

Lawson just continued to glare at Smith until I kicked his shin. “I’m thirsty too.”

He narrowed his eyes at his brother and gave a final huff before he stalked into the kitchen.

Hampton began peppering me with questions the minute Lawson was out of sight. “How did this happen? What did they say? I don’t know what idiot would ever even think you would do something like this. I swear to God, I wish I had been there when they told you to leave. I would have—” I interrupted his ranting by putting my hand over his mouth.

“Shut up.” I smiled.

When he held his hands up in surrender I dropped my own from his face and took a step back. “I know you’re upset for me. And I appreciate that, but I don’t really have any answers for you.” I shrugged. “I have the same questions you do.”

Smith piped up, “Well, I agree with Hampton. This is just bullshit.” He rounded his partner and came to my side, pulling me into a tight embrace. “My question earlier was silly. I should have asked what we can do for you instead.”

I patted his back and then stepped away. “Law’s already called a lawyer. The only thing left to do right now is to wait until the hearing.”

“So, you can’t go back to the hospital?” Smith questioned. When I shook my head, the crease between his brow deepened.

“It’s just temporary, I hope. This has to be some sort of misunderstanding.”

A string of curses told me Hampton felt the same way I did. He finished his rant the same way he started. “This is just complete and utter bullshit!”

“So you’ve both said,” Lawson deadpanned, coming back into the room with one glass of water in his hands.

I didn’t want to admit it, but Lawson was right. I wasn’t up for their antics today. I felt like Atlas, my shoulders sagging under the weight of the world.

I’d shuffled over to the kitchen table and all but flopped back down into one of the chairs. When their heads swung in my direction, worry was etched on the Reed brothers’ faces.

“I’m really tired.” I attempted a half smile. “I didn’t sleep well last night. There’s nothing you two can do for me. Why don’t you go home? I’ll let you know if anything major happens.”

Hampton crossed the distance in two long strides and squatted until he was eye level with where I sat. His eyes were clouded with concern, his usually goofy demeanor replaced with a sincerity I hadn’t seen in ages. “Pip, I can see you’re feeling defeated.” His hand squeezed my knee. “I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

My bottom lip quivered. “I am feeling a little bit like my career is over,” I admitted, my voice low. “But, okay. You and Smith can stay for a while. I could probably use the company.”

My whole life, I’d run to Hampton, relying on him for almost all my needs. When I’d been sad, it was Hampton who made me laugh. When I’d been happy, it was him I celebrated with. After Jack had died, even though he was just as devastated as I was, he’d been the only person who could offer any measure of comfort.

But things were different now. And it wasn’t Hampton’s arms I wanted wrapped around me. But I was too tired to argue with him now. I knew eventually he’d get bored of staring at me in silence and he’d leave me alone with the person I wanted to comfort me.

I just had to wait him out.

“No!” Lawson barked as he smacked his palm on the counter. I jumped and looked at him over my shoulder.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com